If it's your first time sailing on the bay, or your first time sailing with us, you might like to know what to bring. I'll group these items as clothing and personal items.
Clothing
If you sail regularly, you probably have a USCG Type 3 or Type 5 personal flotation device (PFD) you like to wear when sailing. Please bring it. We have Type 2 lifejackets on board for everyone, but these are the type you might be familiar with from cruise ships; they are not very comfortable. We have a couple water skiing vests which are a bit more comfortable, but you won't forget you are wearing it, like a typical Type 5 PFD. If we are going offshore, you will need to have your own vest that includes a harness attachment point. If you are unsure, check with us the week before sailing, and definitely before you go out and buy something.
Our decks are light colored and easily pick up marks from shoes. Please bring something with white or light colored soles. If you want to walk around on deck while we are underway, either for photography or to help as crew, please bring boat shoes that can grip a wet, slippery deck.
Hats are good, but the wind can strip anything off your head that doesn't have a chin strap. Also, if the brim isn't quite rigid, it will either be pushed up against your forehead or down over your eyes when we are going into the wind. I haven't found a good solution for myself yet.
When we are sailing into the wind, the apparent wind, or the wind you experience on board, is the actual speed of the wind PLUS the boat speed, which is around 5 - 10 knots (1 knot is a little faster than 1 MPH). When we are sailing off the wind, or in the same general direction as the wind is blowing, the apparent wind is the actual wind speed MINUS the boat speed. The point is that within 15 minutes we can go from an apparent wind speed of 25 MPH to 5 MPH with the same actual wind. When planning what to wear, keep in mind we might be alternating between windy and chilly to calm and warm several times during a day. A T-shirt, a sweater, and a wind jacket will serve you well most days.
Personal Items
Sunglasses are a must. If you want to shoot videos with audio, remember that there is almost always a decent amount of wind that will overwhelm your audio unless you use special microphone covers. Bring a bag for your camera equipment that provides padding and water protection, since sailboats heel, can bounce a little with waves, and can take water spray even in the cockpit.
Think about adding shower shoes to your toiletries bag. We frequently use marina or yacht club facilities, including their showers. I, for one, like to have something on my feet in public showers.
Many people worry about seasickness. Unless you get easily car sick, and as long as we are staying in the bay, you have no worries. Even outside the bay, sailboats are much more comfortable than power boats of similar size because the sail pressure reduces rolling and pitching, and the hull is designed to cut through the water rather than bounce around on top of it. If we are headed out of the bay, it's a good idea to bring something as a precaution.
If you have an EPIRB and you bring it along, keep it with you! It doesn't do any good sitting in your day pack.
Boat Amenities
On board, we have two heads (toilets), two showers, two bath sinks, and a kitchen sink. We carry 150 gallons of fresh water. We have a fridge and freezer, although we usually turn these off while under sail to save the batteries. We also stock plenty of drinking water, other beverages, and food. If you are staying overnight, assume we have the towels and bedding covered unless we tell you otherwise.
When at dock and connected shore power, we have A/C power, TV & DVD, and even heat or air conditioning if the connection has enough amperage.
If there are bathrooms/showers available when we are docked at a marina, we tend to use those as the extra space is worth the inconvenience of the walk, so bring a bag for toiletries and change of clothes.
There is not a lot of extra space onboard, so leave behind bulky, "might use" items and just bring what you really need.
We look forward to sailing with you!
< Previous Article Next Article >
Clothing
If you sail regularly, you probably have a USCG Type 3 or Type 5 personal flotation device (PFD) you like to wear when sailing. Please bring it. We have Type 2 lifejackets on board for everyone, but these are the type you might be familiar with from cruise ships; they are not very comfortable. We have a couple water skiing vests which are a bit more comfortable, but you won't forget you are wearing it, like a typical Type 5 PFD. If we are going offshore, you will need to have your own vest that includes a harness attachment point. If you are unsure, check with us the week before sailing, and definitely before you go out and buy something.
Our decks are light colored and easily pick up marks from shoes. Please bring something with white or light colored soles. If you want to walk around on deck while we are underway, either for photography or to help as crew, please bring boat shoes that can grip a wet, slippery deck.
Hats are good, but the wind can strip anything off your head that doesn't have a chin strap. Also, if the brim isn't quite rigid, it will either be pushed up against your forehead or down over your eyes when we are going into the wind. I haven't found a good solution for myself yet.
When we are sailing into the wind, the apparent wind, or the wind you experience on board, is the actual speed of the wind PLUS the boat speed, which is around 5 - 10 knots (1 knot is a little faster than 1 MPH). When we are sailing off the wind, or in the same general direction as the wind is blowing, the apparent wind is the actual wind speed MINUS the boat speed. The point is that within 15 minutes we can go from an apparent wind speed of 25 MPH to 5 MPH with the same actual wind. When planning what to wear, keep in mind we might be alternating between windy and chilly to calm and warm several times during a day. A T-shirt, a sweater, and a wind jacket will serve you well most days.
Personal Items
Sunglasses are a must. If you want to shoot videos with audio, remember that there is almost always a decent amount of wind that will overwhelm your audio unless you use special microphone covers. Bring a bag for your camera equipment that provides padding and water protection, since sailboats heel, can bounce a little with waves, and can take water spray even in the cockpit.
Think about adding shower shoes to your toiletries bag. We frequently use marina or yacht club facilities, including their showers. I, for one, like to have something on my feet in public showers.
Many people worry about seasickness. Unless you get easily car sick, and as long as we are staying in the bay, you have no worries. Even outside the bay, sailboats are much more comfortable than power boats of similar size because the sail pressure reduces rolling and pitching, and the hull is designed to cut through the water rather than bounce around on top of it. If we are headed out of the bay, it's a good idea to bring something as a precaution.
If you have an EPIRB and you bring it along, keep it with you! It doesn't do any good sitting in your day pack.
Boat Amenities
On board, we have two heads (toilets), two showers, two bath sinks, and a kitchen sink. We carry 150 gallons of fresh water. We have a fridge and freezer, although we usually turn these off while under sail to save the batteries. We also stock plenty of drinking water, other beverages, and food. If you are staying overnight, assume we have the towels and bedding covered unless we tell you otherwise.
When at dock and connected shore power, we have A/C power, TV & DVD, and even heat or air conditioning if the connection has enough amperage.
If there are bathrooms/showers available when we are docked at a marina, we tend to use those as the extra space is worth the inconvenience of the walk, so bring a bag for toiletries and change of clothes.
There is not a lot of extra space onboard, so leave behind bulky, "might use" items and just bring what you really need.
We look forward to sailing with you!
< Previous Article Next Article >
Comments
Post a Comment